in which it was placed by any exertion that could have been made by the crew, so perfectly disabled as they were by scurvy during their long confinement. In the next place, the want of provisions would have made it impossible that any thing effectual could have been done by the vessel. And Dring himself, in his protest, represents the vessel as in very considerable danger. I think, therefore, that, even supposing it to be true that the weather would have dissolved the ice, and set the ship free, the probability is that the crew would have been unable to navigate her, and there would have been a chance that the ship and stores and oil would have been entirely lost to the

owners.

In order to enhance the merit of the service, it has been stated that considerable loss was probably experienced by the salvors from the delay in prosecuting the whale-fishery, in which these vessels were all engaged; and with reference to this it is said that only two whales were caught by the Princess Charlotte, whereas, it is in evidence that, during that period, a large number of whales were taken by other vessels. But the question does not properly rest on this ground; it is not the incidental circumstance of two whales or twenty whales being captured which is to govern the question; but this: What, under all the circumstances, is the probable amount of profit lost by the vessels so engaged in this salvage service, in consequence of being deprived of their boats and crews during this time? They were not altogether disabled from following the whale-fishery, though it might not be so effective. It is not an easy matter to collect what would have been the probable gain to these vessels; but in allotting the salvage I am about to assign, I must consider it probable, that, during that period, a certain quantum of benefit might have been enjoyed, which was lost by their being engaged in this service, and which so far diminished the profits of the vessels. The only other circumstance which I think it necessary to advert to is this: the considerable delay that has taken place in making the demand, and I must say that it is a circumstance which has no small consideration with me. I must consider that, if the demand was founded in justice, it should have been made before. The Princess Charlotte arrived in this country in October 1837, and the owners might have proceeded in this suit at a much earlier period than they did. I have been told that negoti ations were going on; but that is no satisfactory excuse. If a salvage service was rendered, the salvors were entitled to come to the Court for a salvage remuneration, and they might have brought their case before the courts in less than fifteen or sixteen months.

Looking to all the facts of the case, I am of opinion that a very considerable service has been rendered, and I think I do not go too far if I allot £700 for salvage.

Addams, D. Will the Court have the goodness to settle the proportion between the ships?

The Court. I had determined the apportionment. The sum I have allotted is £700. I think the Princess Charlotte ought to have £300, and the other two vessels £200 each.

ART. X.-NEW YORK MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION LECTURES.

THE regular course of lectures of this highly useful and flourishing institution, commenced on the second of November, with an introductory discourse from Professor Olmsted, of Yale College, on the mutual dependance of science and the arts, or the reciprocal benefits to be derived from an intimate local connexion of those two great departments of human labor.

In pursuance with our original plan, we shall furnish our readers with reports of all the lectures of the course to be delivered, which have a direct or indirect bearing upon commercial pursuits, or which we conceive to be of general utility.

By reference to the programme of the lectures in our last number, it will be perceived that the course for the present season differs materially from any previous course. It having been judiciously determined by the managers, that a full course upon any given subject, would be much more conducive of instruction than single detached lectures, which must of necessity, for the most part, afford but a vague and cursory idea of the subjects under discussion.

The present course, therefore, commences with ten lectures on Meteorology, by Professor Olmsted, and presents an opportunity seldom afforded, of acquiring an intimate acquaintance with the wonderful phenomena of that subtile fluid by which we are environed.

INTRODUCTORY LECTURE.

The Connexion of Science and the Arts.

Professor Olmsted commenced, by observing that one of the most striking characteristics of the present age, was the adaptation of science to the wants and understanding of the people. In former times, the now popular studies of natural philosophy, astronomy, and chemistry, were a sealed book to all but a few of the initiated in those seemingly abstruse and mysterious sciences. But at the present day, from the increased diffusion of knowledge of every kind, and especially from the establishment of institutions like the present, an acquaintance with those useful and interesting subjects, was placed. in the power of every individual.

To our distinguished countryman, Dr. Franklin, Professor Olmsted assigned the honor of having first established a course of popular lectures, and also of being among the first to render a knowledge of the sciences subservient to the uses and welfare of even the humblest individual. Lord Bacon was the first, however, who taught that "a principle in science was a rule in arts," and later philosophers have made rapid strides during the last one hundred years, in verifying the truth of his maxim and developing its astonishing results.

Previous to the great reformation in the physical sciences, their votaries had not for the object of their researches, the increasing the general happiness and comfort of the human race. Astronomy was cultivated from its connexion with astrology-chemistry from its connexion with alchemy. But Dr. Franklin, and another distinguished American philosopher, Count Rumford, sought the happiness of society; their exertions were directed toward increasing the comforts, and as a necessary consequence, elevating the

character of the lower and middling classes of the community, and the efforts of the latter were crowned with such distinguished success, that the poor of Bavaria called him blessed, and all ranks and conditions united in their testimony, to the wonderful changes he had wrought in the condition of the lazzaroni of Munich. Count Rumford was a native of Woburn, Massachusetts, and was ennobled by the king of Bavaria for his services in relieving his kingdom from vagrant mendicants, and their inseparable abuses. He was also the founder of the Royal Institution in London, where lectures are annually delivered to persons of both sexes, it having been the first establishment of the kind attended by ladies. Lord Brougham, and other distinguished savans, continued the efforts of Franklin and Rumford, but to those distinguished Americans must be assigned the honor of having "set the ball in motion.”

Colleges, observed Professor Olmsted, have been considered by many, as hostile to the general diffusion of knowledge. This he thought was an error, for they have the deepest interest in the general intelligence of every class. No literary institution can flourish unless in an intellectual community; in a congenial atmosphere. When commotions and dissensions arise, we look to the educated and intelligent to calm the fury of mobs, and restore society to its equilibrium. From a principle of self-preservation, therefore, if from no higher motive, colleges beheld lyceums, and similar institutions, in a very favorable light.

As an example of the intimate connexion between the sciences and the arts, Professor Olmsted instanced the manufacture of that minute, though useful instrument, a needle. The crude ore must first be extracted from the depths of the earth, and then smelted and forged by ponderous machinery. From the incipient steps to the final results, the knowledge of how many different sciences is requisite. Metallurgy, natural philosophy, chemistry, the expansive force of steam, and the adaptation of machinery to water, or other motive powers. Then for its transportation over seas, ships must be built and navigated, demanding the aid of mechanical skill and astronomy. Thus we perceive that all labor for the mutual benefit of all. The smallest article of daily use, cannot be furnished without the labor of many hundred individuals, and thus the creatures of the Almighty are, by his wise providence, reciprocally dependant on each other.

Let us suppose, observed Professor Olmsted, that a tailor was obliged to make his own needle before he could commence his work, or that any other tradesman was compelled to manufacture the tools of his trade, it will easily be apprehended how rude and uncouth all the arts would become.

ences.

Take another example of the connexion between the arts and sciFor instance a piece of calico, from the cotton plantation to the dry goods warehouse, and observe how various, how multiform, are the processes it undergoes; all of which, it is evident, could only be performed by persons of many different professions and trades.

To the prosperity and welfare of the mercantile class, therefore, all other classes contributed, inasmuch as the merchants were the carriers, the buyers and sellers of every description of production, whether domestic or foreign, the growth of the soil, or the product of the loom or forge. It is, consequently, to their advantage that all descriptions of manufactures should flourish. With every class of the community they are indissolubly connected; they must rise or fall together.

From the close union which is maintained between sciences and the arts,

observed Professor Olmsted, it follows that the pursuit of the former cannot be successfully prosecuted in the absence of the latter. If our philosophical apparatus becomes deranged, our labors are suspended, perhaps for weeks, unless we have a skilful artisan at hand to repair it. Large cities, therefore, where every branch of industry and the arts is prosecuted, are most favorable for the residence of scientific men.

In the remote settlements of our western frontier, even the building of a house after the manner of the older states, is a work sometimes of months. All the materials are to be sought with much labor, workmen to be obtained from a distance of several miles, and even when every thing seems prepared, you are often delayed for the want of some trifling, yet essential requisite.

In conclusion, Professor Olmsted enjoined his hearers to cultivate a love of reading, and a knowledge of the sciences, while youth and opportunity are afforded; then, when old age comes upon us, we can retire from the scenes of active life, serene and happy, conscious of resources within ourselves which will alleviate the cares of this world, and, with the assistance of religion, lighten the pathway to eternity.

LECTURE I.

Of the Atmosphere in general.

Geography, geology, and meteorology, are the sciences which enable us to acquire an accurate knowledge of the earth.

In the present course of lectures, observed Professor Olmsted, the latter science would alone be treated upon.

Meteorology, he defined to consist in a general survey of the atmosphere, both of the upper and lower regions: to include a knowledge of winds, storms, dew, fogs, hail, thunder, aurora borealis, and fiery meteors-their origin, and the laws by which they are regulated. A subject of immense extent and of great interest.

It might be asked, said Professor Olmsted, what advantages were to be derived from a knowledge of the laws which regulate the aerial phenomena. It is evident that those advantages are very great; for if we can foretell changes in the weather with any degree of accuracy, an immense amount of property would be annually saved from destruction.

But can we foretell the weather? Professor Olmsted thought we could, with the same certainty as we can eclipses of the sun or moon. The reasons for this belief, he would disclose in a future lecture. He would merely observe, in this connexion, for the present, that there were two classes of persons who were peculiarly fitted for foretelling the weather, viz. philosophers and sailors; both classes generally arriving at the same conclusions, though by different routes. The method of the philosopher is to be preferred, since it is susceptible of being imparted to others; while that of the sailor, consisting of certain signs and appearances known only to himself, has not that desirable requisite.

A law of storms was highly important, and a hope of ascertaining it was entertained by most modern philosophers.

Professor Olmsted next proceeded to define the atmosphere, but as that is a subject with which all our readers are, or ought to be, familiar, we shall not allow ourselves to dwell upon those portions of the lecture which consisted of the usual details upon the elasticity, expansibility, weight, density, and compressibility of air.

We will observe, however, that the density of the atmosphere diminishes

as we ascend from the surface of the earth, very rapidly. One half of the atmosphere being supposed to be contained within four miles of the earth; one fourth of it within the next seven miles, and so rapidly diminishing in density as we ascend.

The height of the atmosphere above the earth as deduced from twilight is forty-nine miles from meteors, one hundred and fifty miles; this difference is to be attributed to the circumstance, that above the height of forty-nine miles the atmosphere is too rare to reflect the rays of the sun, consequently twilight does not indicate any greater height.

From circumstances attending the appearance of Encke's comet, we have reason to believe that an ethereal medium is diffused throughout all space, although it must be extremely rare above the height of fifty miles.

The temperature of the atmosphere is, as all are aware, colder the higher we ascend. The line of perpetual congelation is, of course, different in different latitudes. At the equator, it is about three miles from the earth; in our latitude, two miles; and in the polar regions, on the surface.

LECTURE II.

Dew, Fog, and Clouds.

The inductive system of philosophy, said Professor Olmsted, is the only true system by which we can arrive at certain results in physical science. It consists in an accurate observation of facts, and in carefully advancing from one set of truths to another, thus building up, as it were, a system slowly and securely.

Dew-To a countryman of our own, Dr. Wells, of South Carolina, the world is indebted for an accurate and philosophical investigation of the phenomena of dew. Dr. Wells resided in London, in the capacity of a merchant, and it was in the vicinity of that metropolis that he prosecuted the experiments which resulted in the establishment of a fixed and substantial theory.

In making these experiments, Dr. Wells selected an open field in the vicinity of London, and the instruments which he used were a thermometer, a pair of scales, and a lock of wool. The lock of wool was for the purpose of absorbing the dew, the scales for weighing the wool before and after the process of absorption, and the therinometer to ascertain the temperature of the dew thus absorbed; and with this simple apparatus did Dr. Wells determine the laws which regulate these interesting phenomena.

The facts ascertained by Dr. Wells, relative to dew, were as follows: It begins to fall about 4 P. M.; it is most copious just before sunrise. More dew falls on clear than on cloudy nights, more on still than on windy nights, more on the grass than on sand, more on the land than on the water; on the ocean, indeed, no dew at all falls out of soundings. On bright metallic surfaces no dew falls, nor does it fall upon the naked skin of living animals.

From these facts, we arrive at the conclusion that dew does not fall from the heavens, as we express ourselves in common parlance, but ascends from the earth.

The following principles are involved in the explanation of the facts we have recorded above. The capacity of the air for moisture, is increased by heat and diminished by cold. In a dry atmosphere, evaporation goes on very rapidly. This every one has experienced, in the unpleasant dryness of the skin during the prevalence of hot winds. When the sun is withdrawn from the earth, the air becomes cooler, and the consequence is, that the